Former Syrian high official: Assad unaware of destruction

Manaf Tlass, former right-hand man of Syrian President Bashar Assad before defecting to the West, says that Assad has isolated himself in a circle of associates who supply him with a lopsided version of reality, meant to appeal to him.

In an interview in Paris, Tlass said that Assad was unaware of the destruction he is responsible for. Tlass also estimated that Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa might be instrumental in a regime change. (Roi Kais)